Awarded annually, the CA Umpire Award is presented to an International Cricket Council (ICC) Elite Panel or National Panel Umpire adjudged all-round most outstanding, with consideration not only to an umpire’s on-field performance but also their contribution to elite umpiring in Australia by way of significant achievement or off-field work.
It has been a strong year for Sam both at the domestic and international levels. Nogajski umpired in the home men’s internationals being on-field during the Zimbabwe ODIs, New Zealand ODIs, West Indies T20s, England T20s, and England ODIs, performing well across each series. Nogajski also umpired in all men’s domestic competitions, where strong performances earned him on-field appointments to all three competition finals: the KFC BBL12 Final, the Marsh One-Day Cup Final, and the Marsh Sheffield Shield Final. Nogajski achieved a significant career milestone, bringing up his 50th domestic List-A match appearance in the Marsh One-Day Cup final.
On the International front, Nogajski stood in all men’s Dettol One Day and T20 International series featuring Australia, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, the West Indies and England. Nogajski was also appointed fourth umpire for the First NRMA Insurance Test Match between Australia and the West Indies at Optus Stadium in Perth.
Off the Field, Nogajski contributes to Australian Umpiring as a member of the CA Umpire Leadership Group, a role appointed by the NUP and Supplementary Umpire Panels (SUP) by ballot.
CA Match Officials Manager Sean Easey succinctly summarised Nogajski’s season. “Sam has clearly achieved great things on the field this season. Importantly, he also contributes strongly off-field and is a respected member of the officiating team. He is a true professional in approach and strives for excellence in all that he does. Congratulations to Sam and we wish him well for the future”.
The award, selected by the Cricket Australia Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, is based on consideration of the following criteria:
• On field performance
• Demonstrated a high level of professionalism in their conduct throughout the year, both on and off field
• Significant development and improvement in performance on-field
• Significant achievement in umpiring throughout the year
• Contribution to the Australian umpiring community through off-field activities
• Contribution to the Australian cricket community in general
• Sets an example of what it is to be a cricket umpire to the rest of the cricket and umpiring community
This is the first time Nogajski has won this award, capping off an outstanding season.
Previous winners
Phil Gillespie - 2021/22
Bruce Oxenford - 2020/21
Paul Wilson - 2019/20
Paul Wilson - 2018/19
Paul Wilson - 2017/18
Simon Fry - 2016/17
Simon Fry - 2015/16
Simon Fry - 2014/15
Simon Fry - 2013/14
Bruce Oxenford - 2012/13
Simon Taufel - 2011/12
Bruce Oxenford - 2010/11
Steve Davis - 2009/10
Paul Reiffel - 2008/09
Bruce Oxenford - 2007/08
Daryl Harper - 2006/07
Simon Taufel - 2005/06
Peter Parker - 2004/05
Simon Taufel - 2003/04